Spirited business for luxury ice-cream maker

Visitors to the unique Kilbeggan Whiskey distillery in the Republic of Ireland are now able to enjoy luxury ice cream made by Glastry Farm in Northern Ireland using the historic spirit.

Glastry's award winning Kilbeggan Ice Cream, launched in 2010 by the dairy farm based company, went on sale this week in the distillery, the oldest in the Republic, following a distribution deal with Buggy Foods, which is based near the distillery in Kilbeggan, county Westmeath.

The distribution deal, the second signed recently by Glastry in the Republic - the other with Limerick Frozen Foods - completes the Northern Irish company's coverage in what is now its fast growing market for luxury ice cream and low-fat sorbets.

The agreements follow Glastry's recent approval from Georgina Campbell's Ireland, the island's leading independent hospitality guide. The critically acclaimed guide, established by top food and hospitality writer Georgina Campbell, lists the best accommodation and food products on the island of Ireland.

Will Taylor, the county Down dairy farmer who launched the luxury ice cream business in 2007 as a farm diversification project, says: "Gaining approval from Georgina Campbell's respected guide following independent assessment by experts is a marvellous boost for the business and our staff.

"The endorsement will be immensely important as we seek to build on the 50 per cent growth in the sale of our ice cream and sorbets that we've experienced in the Republic over the past year.

"While we've had a strong network of outlets in the greater Dublin area we've sought to expand our distribution in the Midlands and Limerick. The agreements with Buggy Foods in Kilbeggan and Limerick Foods plugs gaps in our distribution.

"The deal by Buggy Foods means that our Kilbeggan Ice Cream, which has won a series of awards including UK Great Taste, is now on sale in the distillery's visitor centre, an attraction that draws over 100,000 people annually. Established in 1757, Kilbeggan, now owned by Jim Beam of the US, is the Republic's oldest pot whiskey distillery," he adds.

Glastry Farm premium ice cream and creamy sorbets are handcrafted from milk from the farm's own pedigree Holstein-Friesian herd. The farm has also been accredited by the UK Red Tractor organisation.

The products do not includeartificial additives, stabilisers or other artificial ingredients, thereby assuring customers of the wholesomeness of the ice cream and sorbets.

The range currently features 20 ice creams and four low-fat sorbets. Other ice-cream flavours include Rhubarb and Custard, Heavenly Chocolate and Berry Blueberry. The company also supplies ice cream to the National Trust and to leading hospitality organisations in Northern Ireland including Hastings Hotels and the Fitzwilliam.